The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1887-04-07

ciated in all Of tho larger towns Of Central and
Eastern Ohio.
In the public measures Of the day Mr. God
dard took IN active port His advice and en-
couragement were largely instrumental In caus-
ing the construction Of the canals, the building
Of the Central Ohio railroad and the Muskin-
gum Valley railroad.
Mr.. Goddard was a master Of military tactics,
and would have been an early volunteer on the
side of the Union in the war Of the rebellion
had his health permitted him to enlist His life
was devoted to the law, and 1t was not the plan
Of Providence for him to stray from his profess
sion. He was engaged in the practice Of law
until within one week Of his death, which took
place on the lst OF February, 1864.
Judge X. N. Harrison, of Columbus in speak
ing Of him, said, after paying high tribute to
his professional ability, land he was the soul OF
honor" rH ..f..t .
An anecdote illustrating the legal life fifty
years ago has been put into my hands, and is
here committed to print for tho first time.
The competition OF the Bar was very sharp, and
no lawyers lost an opportunity to take advan-
tage of his opponents. 1t was in the days when
all the lawyers practiced through long circuits,
comprising several counties. They rode on
horseback from place to place, carrying their
books, papers and often their meals In huge
saddle-bags.
About 1890 It happened that Charles d. God
dard and Thomas Ewing, Of Lancaster, were
eHRugcu Us Opposing COunStl III I'LL uHpOTtaHt
case at Marietta, which involved large amount
Of money The fee would have been large
one for Ewing had he gained the case, and
rather small for Goddard IL he lost It, Much
time was given to the preparation for the trial
by both attorneys. 1t was the spring term OF
the Washington County court Of common pleas
when the case was set for trial. Ewing had or.
ranged that Goddard should meet him at
his home in Lancaster. At the time set God
dard left GAINESVILLE for Lancaster, but on
the way he stopped a short time to try o small
case before justice of the peace, which delay
ed him unduly, and consequently he was consd-
erably behind time in arriving at Lancaster
Upon reaching that town he learned that Ewing
had departed three hours before, leaving for
Goddard his apology for not waiting his advent,
and said that he would wait for him ut o certain
place where he expected to stop at noon. This
stopping place was most beautiful small
natural grove. Nature could not have desired
a more desirable spot to tarry short time for
rest and refreshment
When Goddard approached this stopping
place he noticed his old friend Ewing in q
rather peculiar position for rest and refresh
ments. Dismounting and tying his faithful
old steed he quietly slipped up from behind
the large forest trees Taking up position
Ewing, in order to hear him unperceived, he
saw Ewing take from his saddle bags his law
books, papers and briefs and deposit them
on large log. Then casting his
commenced his line Of argument for the great
case that was to be heard the next day. Ad-
dressing large tree, he said IF your honor
pleases," and then went on hastily passing in
brief through the entire case and rehearsing oil
the points he expected to make. During this
time Goddard was absorbing in the whole case
and learned how Ewing proposed to manage
1t. At the conclusion Of his argument Ewing
| looked about and not seeing or hearing any
thing of his tardy friend, placed the saddle
| bags across the horses's back and proceeded on
| his way to Marietta.
After a while Goddard followed him, but did
not arrive in Marietta for some two or three
| hours after Ewing reached there. Matters went
| on in as pleasant and agreeable manner as ever,
| no allusion being made to the trip,
The next day the trial came on. Ewing was
| badly defeated by Goddard who knew just
what his argument would be, and therefore
| took all the wind from his sails by iocosely re-
| peating it. The next day, when they had ar
rived at the place for rest and refreshments, and
| the inner man supplied, Goddard arose from the
| log upon which they were seated and taking
| some books and papers from the saddle bags,
proceeded in similar address to the big tree.
This was too much for Ewing: he at once saw
| the error he had made and congratulating God.
| dard upon his good fortune In the case, he asked
| him never to tell the circumstance to any one.
| For years Goddard kept the secret, when, in the
fall of the year, 1870, and during the great polt
ical campaign Ewing, Tom Corwin Governor
Letcher, Marshall of Kentucky. and several
prominent gentlemen being present and taking
| dinner ut the house of General Goddard.
The repast being over the old fellows COM
menced series Of stories and Jokes. Goddard,
| looking across the table to his old friend Ewing
| and giving Tom Corwin wink he said: Seen
| tlemen. have something to tell about Tom
Ewing But Ewing anticipating what Goddard
would say, begged OF him not to repeat
his open-air plea to the big oak tree. But God.
dard told the joke. and such an outburst Of
| laughter and merrimcnt never was or has been
| since heard in the Goddard mansion.
| And this is the way the incident was made
| public, and in the foregoing manner 1t was re-
| lated by Mr.. Goddard to VIM. Culbertson, who
| gave 1t to the writer